Lifedrain

[Taqwus]

Shadow Brand looks to be a nice toy; it's one-handed, but of a sword length and not a dagger. It's armor-piercing, like the flaming weapons. And it's a small-area lifedrain (Leeching Darkness), so it affects more than just the guy you smacked... even if all the drain is added before applying the limits, you're still doing the damage.

It's Earth and Death, 'tho, perhaps not the most common combination.

[Potatoman]

Really! I had always assumed from its description that Shadow Brand inflicted decay, like a Bane Blade.